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268
as a mail carrier and teacher before serving in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1897. In
1897, Howe was an agent for Alex Manly’s Daily Record. His home was at 308 Castle Street. Although
he was affiliated with Manly, he was not forced to leave the city, probably because of his family’s long ties
to the city.
Sources: Prather, We Have Taken a City; Reaves, Strength Through Struggle; 1860- 1930 census;
1897, 1900 city directories; Bill Reaves Collection, New Hanover County Public Library; McDuffie,
“ Politics in Wilmington;” Cody, “ After the Storm;” 1890, 1897, 1900 New Hanover County Tax Lists.
Jacobs, David
David Jacobs was a member of the Committee of Colored Citizens summoned to hear the
demands of Waddell’s Committee of 25 on November 9, 1898. In 1898, Jacobs was working as a barber
as well as county coroner. In 1897, his home was at 914 S. 2nd Street and his business was located at 15
Dock Street. Jacobs was born in 1851 and died in 1905. He was still working as a barber on Dock in 1900.
He was an active member of Mt. Olive AME Zion Church.
Jacobs was listed in the 1870 census as living in the household of African American carpenter
Thomas Allen and working as a barber’s apprentice. Jacobs lived next door to his future wife, Mary Battle.
By 1880, Jacobs and Mary were married and listed as the head of a household that included two sons and
his wife’s parents ( George and Hester Battle) and sister ( Virginia Battle). By 1900, Jacobs was listed in the
census as renting his home at 916 S. 2nd Street. Also living with Jacobs were his two adult sons, his wife
and a boarder. Jacobs was 46 at the time of the violence in 1898.
Sources: Prather, We Have Taken a City; Reaves, Strength Through Struggle; 1860- 1930 census;
1897, 1900 city directories; Bill Reaves Collection, New Hanover County Public Library; McDuffie,
“ Politics in Wilmington;” Cody, “ After the Storm,” 1890, 1897, 1900 New Hanover County Tax Lists.
Jeffries, William L.
Jeffries was born in Pittsburgh and graduated from Lincoln University. He was amember of the
staff at the Record. He was not found in the city directory or census for New Hanover before or after 1898.
Sources: Prather, We Have Taken a City; Reaves, Strength Through Struggle; 1860- 1930 census;
1897, 1900 city directories; Bill Reaves Collection, New Hanover County Public Library; McDuffie,
“ Politics in Wilmington;” Cody, “ After the Storm;” 1890, 1897, 1900 New Hanover County Tax Lists;
Wilmington Star, December 10, 1898.
Jones, David R.
David Jones was a member of the Committee of Colored Citizens summoned to hear the demands
of Waddell’s Committee of 25 on November 9, 1898. Jones was employed as a drayman and was a director
of the Metropolitan Trust Company. In the 1897 city directory, he lived at 210 McRae Street and by 1900,
he had moved to 510 Swann Street. Jones was listed in the 1900 census as working as a drayman who
owned his home. Also living with Jones was his adult son, Albert, who worked as a day laborer, and his
grandson Eddie. Jones was 54 at the time of the violence in 1898 and his son Albert was 22. David Jones
paid taxes on property in Block 307 in 1897 and 1900 valued at $ 50.00. Albert Jones paid taxes on
property in Blocks 34, 60, 47 and 31 valued at a total of $ 1,050 in 1897 and 1900.
Sources: Prather, We Have Taken a City; Reaves, Strength Through Struggle; 1860- 1930 census;
1897, 1900 city directories; Bill Reaves Collection, New Hanover County Public Library; McDuffie,
“ Politics in Wilmington;” Cody, “ After the Storm;” 1890, 1897, 1900 New Hanover County Tax Lists.
Keith, Benjamin F.
A white member of the Fusionist Board of Aldermen, Keith was listed as a Silver Democrat or
Populist at various times. He was forced to resign his position on the Board following the violence. He
was not present at the 4: 00 changeover of the government on November 10th but later resigned. A
successful businessman, Keith experienced immense pressure and intimidation during the 1898 campaign
by Democrats and Red Shirts to “ convert” to the party publicly. Keith maintained his resolve and
withstood the pressures despite personal and financial ruin as a result of the Democratic campaign. Keith
wrote of his experiences to Senator Marion Butler as well as other political figures. He also wrote an
autobiographical sketch of his life entitled Memories. Keith lived at 407 Walnut Street. Keith has been
further profiled in Chapter 3 of this report.

268
as a mail carrier and teacher before serving in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1897. In
1897, Howe was an agent for Alex Manly’s Daily Record. His home was at 308 Castle Street. Although
he was affiliated with Manly, he was not forced to leave the city, probably because of his family’s long ties
to the city.
Sources: Prather, We Have Taken a City; Reaves, Strength Through Struggle; 1860- 1930 census;
1897, 1900 city directories; Bill Reaves Collection, New Hanover County Public Library; McDuffie,
“ Politics in Wilmington;” Cody, “ After the Storm;” 1890, 1897, 1900 New Hanover County Tax Lists.
Jacobs, David
David Jacobs was a member of the Committee of Colored Citizens summoned to hear the
demands of Waddell’s Committee of 25 on November 9, 1898. In 1898, Jacobs was working as a barber
as well as county coroner. In 1897, his home was at 914 S. 2nd Street and his business was located at 15
Dock Street. Jacobs was born in 1851 and died in 1905. He was still working as a barber on Dock in 1900.
He was an active member of Mt. Olive AME Zion Church.
Jacobs was listed in the 1870 census as living in the household of African American carpenter
Thomas Allen and working as a barber’s apprentice. Jacobs lived next door to his future wife, Mary Battle.
By 1880, Jacobs and Mary were married and listed as the head of a household that included two sons and
his wife’s parents ( George and Hester Battle) and sister ( Virginia Battle). By 1900, Jacobs was listed in the
census as renting his home at 916 S. 2nd Street. Also living with Jacobs were his two adult sons, his wife
and a boarder. Jacobs was 46 at the time of the violence in 1898.
Sources: Prather, We Have Taken a City; Reaves, Strength Through Struggle; 1860- 1930 census;
1897, 1900 city directories; Bill Reaves Collection, New Hanover County Public Library; McDuffie,
“ Politics in Wilmington;” Cody, “ After the Storm,” 1890, 1897, 1900 New Hanover County Tax Lists.
Jeffries, William L.
Jeffries was born in Pittsburgh and graduated from Lincoln University. He was amember of the
staff at the Record. He was not found in the city directory or census for New Hanover before or after 1898.
Sources: Prather, We Have Taken a City; Reaves, Strength Through Struggle; 1860- 1930 census;
1897, 1900 city directories; Bill Reaves Collection, New Hanover County Public Library; McDuffie,
“ Politics in Wilmington;” Cody, “ After the Storm;” 1890, 1897, 1900 New Hanover County Tax Lists;
Wilmington Star, December 10, 1898.
Jones, David R.
David Jones was a member of the Committee of Colored Citizens summoned to hear the demands
of Waddell’s Committee of 25 on November 9, 1898. Jones was employed as a drayman and was a director
of the Metropolitan Trust Company. In the 1897 city directory, he lived at 210 McRae Street and by 1900,
he had moved to 510 Swann Street. Jones was listed in the 1900 census as working as a drayman who
owned his home. Also living with Jones was his adult son, Albert, who worked as a day laborer, and his
grandson Eddie. Jones was 54 at the time of the violence in 1898 and his son Albert was 22. David Jones
paid taxes on property in Block 307 in 1897 and 1900 valued at $ 50.00. Albert Jones paid taxes on
property in Blocks 34, 60, 47 and 31 valued at a total of $ 1,050 in 1897 and 1900.
Sources: Prather, We Have Taken a City; Reaves, Strength Through Struggle; 1860- 1930 census;
1897, 1900 city directories; Bill Reaves Collection, New Hanover County Public Library; McDuffie,
“ Politics in Wilmington;” Cody, “ After the Storm;” 1890, 1897, 1900 New Hanover County Tax Lists.
Keith, Benjamin F.
A white member of the Fusionist Board of Aldermen, Keith was listed as a Silver Democrat or
Populist at various times. He was forced to resign his position on the Board following the violence. He
was not present at the 4: 00 changeover of the government on November 10th but later resigned. A
successful businessman, Keith experienced immense pressure and intimidation during the 1898 campaign
by Democrats and Red Shirts to “ convert” to the party publicly. Keith maintained his resolve and
withstood the pressures despite personal and financial ruin as a result of the Democratic campaign. Keith
wrote of his experiences to Senator Marion Butler as well as other political figures. He also wrote an
autobiographical sketch of his life entitled Memories. Keith lived at 407 Walnut Street. Keith has been
further profiled in Chapter 3 of this report.